Clayton State Hosts Nursing Jumpstart Boot Camp to Prepare Students for Clinical Success

(February 18, 2026) - Clayton State University recently held its Nursing JumpStart Boot Camp, a required three-day, eight-hour-per-day program designed to help incoming nursing students transition smoothly into the rigorous demands of the nursing program. Held January 5–7 at the Lake City Community Center, the boot camp takes place the week before classes begin each semester and serves as a bridge between students’ general education coursework and the expectations of the nursing curriculum. 

The goal of JumpStart is to ensure students begin the program with a clear understanding of academic and clinical expectations while developing foundational nursing skills and effective study habits. By the end of the boot camp, students are expected to understand program requirements, recognize core nursing concepts, apply evidence-based study strategies, and communicate proactively with faculty to support their learning. 

Throughout the three days, students were introduced to nursing faculty and key campus support personnel, including staff from the Center for Academic Success, Atrium Behavioral Health counselors, and the School of Nursing’s Student Navigator. Students also gained early access to their digital textbooks and learned how to use available academic tools effectively. Textbook publishers demonstrated interactive learning resources, including videos and case studies designed to support coursework throughout the program. 

Participants were introduced to Lippincott Course Point, PrepU, and Kaplan, online platforms that allow students to practice NCLEX-style questions beginning early in the program. “We start almost from day one so we can memorize and apply everything by graduation,” said participant Nigar Sultana. Sessions emphasized test-taking strategies, time management, preparing for class, and building strong study routines essential for success in nursing school. 

Hands-on learning was a central component of the boot camp, including real-world exercises in dosage calculation. Students practiced determining medication dosages based on physician orders and pharmacy supplies, a critical skill required before entering clinical rotations. Sultana, who began her first semester of nursing classes this year, described the experience as challenging but necessary. “It’s math but applied to real-world patient care,” she said. “You have to calculate exact medication doses based on what the doctor prescribes and what’s available in the pharmacy.” 

Activities such as “Thinking Like a Nurse” encouraged students to prioritize patient care and respond to realistic clinical scenarios. 

Student wellness and mental health were also emphasized. Short yoga breaks were incorporated into the schedule, and students received information about Atrium Health’s free mental health services to help manage stress and maintain balance during the demanding program. 

A Q&A panel featuring upperclassmen and soon-to-be graduates gave incoming students insight into nursing school expectations and strategies for success. Panelists emphasized time management, deep study habits, and forming study groups. “In nursing school, you have to plan every hour of your day,” Sultana said. “Patients depend on us, so we have to learn everything precisely.” 

Another key resource highlighted was the SON Student Navigator, a dedicated advisor who assists nursing students with course selection, connecting with faculty, and accessing campus resources throughout the semester. 

Since its inception in Fall 2023, the JumpStart Boot Camp has played a key role in preparing incoming nursing students for the demands of the program. “Student feedback has been positive since the program’s inception in Fall 2023, and seeing students succeed is truly the reward,” said CSU nursing instructor Chyrel Panlilio. Through early exposure to academic expectations, support services, and foundational nursing skills, the program reflects Clayton State University’s ongoing commitment to student success in both classroom and clinical settings. 

“I feel more confident about stepping into clinicals and applying what I’ve learned,” said participant Nigar Sultana. “The bootcamp showed me what it really takes to be a nurse and that I can handle it.”